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Tampa Overloaded Truck Accident Lawyers
Dedicated legal representation when you are injured because of an overloaded truck in Florida
Commercial trucks are able to carry massive amounts of cargo. However, they do have a limit. When trucking companies or drivers fail to follow federal and state weight regulations, the risk of accidents increases significantly. The overloading of trucks makes them more challenging to maneuver and may lead to them tipping or the driver otherwise losing control. When an overloaded truck does cause a collision, the victims often suffer severe injuries or fatalities due to the massive impact of the forces involved. The Tampa truck accident lawyers at MattLaw are dedicated to helping victims recover compensation for their injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages caused by negligent trucking practices. Call us for a free consultation.
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- What are the weight limits of trucks in Florida?
- What kinds of Tampa accidents do overloaded trucks cause?
- What types of injuries can overloaded trucks cause in Tampa?
- Who is liable for my Tampa overloaded truck accident?
- What is the value of my Tampa overloaded truck accident?
- Do you have a Tampa overloaded truck accident lawyer near me?
What are the weight limits of trucks in Florida?
Here in Florida, the Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (CVE) Weight Enforcement program protects “highway system pavement and structures (bridges) from excessive damage due to overweight vehicles.”
According to the Compliance Network, the maximum gross vehicle weight allowed is 80,000 pounds.
Drivers may obtain overweight permits for trucks that exceed these limits, but only if they meet specific requirements. Failure to comply with weight regulations can result in increased risks of accidents, particularly due to issues like brake failure or loss of control.
What kinds of Tampa accidents do overloaded trucks cause?
Overloaded commercial trucks can lead to a variety of dangerous accidents due to excessive weight compromising the truck’s performance and increasing the risk of failure. Common types of accidents caused by overloaded trucks include:
- Brake failures. Overloaded and heavy trucks require a longer distance to stop, and the added weight can cause the brakes to overheat and fail. This can lead to rear-end collisions or runaway truck crashes.
- Tire blowouts. Excessive weight can also put too much pressure on a truck’s tires, causing them to blow out or burst. This can lead to the truck losing control or swerving into other lanes, causing serious accidents.
- Rollover accidents. Trucks overloaded (or improperly loaded) are more prone to tipping over, especially when making sharp turns or going through curves. Rollovers can cause accidents affecting several lanes of traffic.
- Jackknife accidents. Overloaded trucks are more likely to jackknife. The need to suddenly brake can increase the risk of this, as can traveling in poor weather conditions. The trailer can swing out perpendicular to the cab, creating a dangerous obstacle for other vehicles.
- Loss of control. Extra weight makes a truck more difficult to steer and control. As a result, drivers face greater chances of swerving, drifting, or veering off the road. An out-of-control truck creates a massive risk of collisions.
- Falling debris. Overloaded trucks and those with improperly secured cargo cause a risk of debris falling into the road. Debris on the road can lead to crashes if cars strike or attempt to avoid the fallen cargo. This is especially true on highways where traffic is traveling at high speeds.
These types of Tampa truck accidents are often catastrophic, resulting in severe injuries or even fatalities.
What types of injuries can overloaded trucks cause in Tampa?
Tampa overloaded trucks can cause severe injuries due to their excessive weight and the increased risk of accidents. Common injuries from these types of accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries. The force of impact from a truck accident can result in head injuries, including concussions and other brain trauma, which can lead to long-term cognitive and physical impairments.
- Spinal cord injuries. Overloaded truck crashes can result in spinal cord damage, resulting in partial or complete paralysis, herniated discs, or chronic back pain.
- Broken bones and fractures. The force of a collision with an overloaded truck can lead to fractures and breaks in the arms, legs, ribs, and other areas. These often require surgery and an extensive recovery time.
- Internal injuries. The impact of a heavy truck accident can cause internal injuries, like organ damage or internal bleeding. These injuries may not be immediately visible. Unfortunately, if the victim doesn’t seek treatment, these can be life-threatening.
- Burns. A fuel spill or fire can lead to victims of an overloaded truck accident suffering severe burn injuries. Burns may cause disfigurement, infection, or the need for surgical skin grafts.
- Fatalities. The extreme weight of an overloaded truck increases the likelihood of fatalities in accidents. Those traveling in smaller vehicles face particularly high risks.
All of these injuries will require long-term medical care and rehabilitation and can lead to significant emotional and financial burdens for victims and their families.
Who is liable for my Tampa overloaded truck accident?
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, liability for a Tampa overloaded truck accident can be assigned to multiple parties. Common parties that might be held responsible for these types of accidents include the following:
- Truck driver. The truck driver could be held liable if they knowingly drove the truck while it was overloaded or if they failed to properly secure the load, resulting in an accident.
- Trucking company. The trucking company could be held responsible if they pressured the driver to carry more than the legal weight or failed to enforce proper loading practices.
- Cargo loaders or shippers. If a third-party company was responsible for loading the truck, and overloaded it or improperly distributed the cargo, leading to an accident, they can be held liable.
- Truck manufacturer. In some cases, a defective truck part – like faulty brakes or suspension – can contribute to an accident, especially with the strain of an overloaded vehicle. In these cases, the truck manufacturer could be held partially liable.
- Maintenance companies. If a third-party company was responsible for maintaining and upkeep of the truck, and those failures contributed to an accident, the company can be held liable.
- Government entities. In rare cases, the road or bridge may not have been properly maintained or marked for weight limits, and a government entity can be held liable.
It’s not uncommon for multiple parties to share liability. While building your case, your attorney can conduct a detailed investigation to determine who is at fault. At MattLaw, we can help identify the liable parties and pursue just compensation for your injuries and losses.
What is the value of my Tampa overloaded truck accident?
If you or a loved one have been injured in an overloaded truck accident, you may be entitled to several types of compensation. Here’s a breakdown of the possible compensation you can pursue:
- Medical expenses. This is compensation for your current and future medical bills related to the accident. This includes ER visits, hospital stays, surgery, rehabilitation or physical therapy, medication, and assistive devices.
- Lost wages. If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be eligible to recover lost wages for the time you’ve been unable to work due to the accident. If your injuries affect your ability to earn income in the future, you can claim lost future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering. This covers compensation for things like physical pain and emotional distress, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Property damage. You’re entitled to compensation for the repair or replacement of your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the overloaded truck crash.
- Disfigurement and disability. If your accident caused permanent disability, scarring or disfigurement, you may be entitled to compensation to account for the lasting impacts on your quality of life.
- Loss of consortium. This compensation accounts for the impact on your relationship with your spouse. This can include loss of companionship, emotional support, and intimacy.
- Punitive damages. In cases where the truck driver or trucking company was particularly reckless – such as knowingly exceeding weight limits, skipping safety inspections, or violating other trucking regulations, you may be entitled to punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to punish the reckless party and deter similar behaviors in the future.
- Wrongful death. If your loved one was killed in an overloaded truck accident, you can also file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and the pain and suffering of the deceased before their death.
At MattLaw, our experienced Tampa truck accident attorneys can help evaluate your case and pursue the full compensation available for your accident.
Do you have a Tampa overloaded truck accident lawyer near me?
MattLaw is located at 304 S Plant Avenue in Tampa, Florida. Contact us for a free consultation. If you are too injured to come to us, we can come to you. Videoconferences are available.
Compassionate Tampa overloaded truck accident attorneys providing legal help
If you or a loved one have been injured in an overloaded truck accident in Tampa, don’t wait to seek the compensation you deserve. Contact the experienced Tampa truck accident attorneys at MattLaw today to protect your rights, get help with your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and hold the negligent parties accountable. Call now for a free consultation and take the first step toward securing the financial recovery you need to rebuild your life. To schedule a meeting with an experienced lawyer, simply call our offices or fill out our contact form.